Leo Li - Our Experienced Yangtze Cruise Expert

To Leo,

We enjoyed the trip very much, both cruise and Chongqing tours. The ship was fine and new. The food was reasonably good. The guides were excellent. Crew were helpful.

I would prefer slightly better hotels during Chongqing trip, especially in Wulong. The breakfast could be better.

Also a list of recommended restaurants for the dinner could be useful.

Overall we had a great time and would be happy to use your company service for our future trips in China.

Alexey

Hi,

We had a great trip Leo. The arrangements were great from the moment we landed in Chongqing. Thanks so much for helping to accommodate our different requests.

Kent

Hi Leo, all fine thank you!

The cruise was good, and the food was also fine.

There was in particular, one girl, Natalie, she was really sweet and treated us very special.

Dear Leo,

It was a great tour! The staff on the boat were so nice and helpful! The accommodations were excellent. The food was so good. If I had one complaint it would just be how rushed everything is when you visit things off the boat. I understand why and know there is a busy schedule but it was so rushed to me. Sorry it took so long to answer. I had no mobile data all day.

The only place I felt it was really crowded was at the Fengdu Ghost City. Everywhere else had people but not too bad at all for China.

I saw some places were really busy. I heard a lot of people are traveling again. I have a lot of friends who have shown some interest in my cruise. When they ask me for more info about booking the cruise I will definitely send them your contact card. I will put some pictures on WeChat tonight. So many want to see some. That will help I think.

Megan

Hi Leo, sorry I didn't respond sooner, this has been a busy week! Sylvie and I had a great trip and we agreed the service was excellent. On the boat, all the crew were very helpful, especially Momo and Billy. We really appreciated how well everyone looked after us. The guides we had on the boat and in Zhangjiajie had great English. We really liked that David in Zhangjiajie looked at the weather forcasts to decide what would be the best activity for the day. He knew a lot of less visited areas, which made for a more relaxing and enjoyable visit, even when the park was more crowded. The driver was one of the best I've had in China, though we did have to wait around for him to arrive sometimes. I don't know how much control you have over the boat,but there are a couple suggestions I have.

-On the excursions, it would be helpful to have a translated document of some of the important information about the place. I don't expect an entire spoken translation of everything that is being said, but it would have been nice to have more information at the dam and on the 3 Gorges boat ride, as there was a lot being said in Mandarian and most of it wasn't translated. Just a simple handout, even just using something like Google Translate, would have been nice.

-There were a couple of times another boat docked directly next to ours, which made it impossible to use the balcony or really relax in the room because our "neighbors" were too close and too loud. That's all I can really think of now. Like I said, the service we received was excellent and I would definitely recommend the trip to others. Thanks again!

Patricia

Dear Leo,

All good, the only thing I can think of is if they could upgraded their gym but I’m thinking I’m the only one who has ever used it. Everyone was really nice, I just wish there were more passengers to enjoy their hospitality.

David

Hi Leo,

Thank you for the thoughtful update. You are a special young man. I sincerely hope you and your family are well and have avoided this terrible virus. I am so sorry for the impact this has had on your business. I realize the hardship this has caused you. I will keep you in my prayers.

With Sincere Regards,

Judy 

Leo,

Thanks for the update. Please stay safe and healthy. I will continue to say a prayer for your country. Also, please let me know when the situation improves. I do want to return.  

Julie 

Hi Leo, 

Yes,  the cruise on the Victoria Katarina went very well. The boat was well maintained (looked in better condition than the Yangtze Gold 5, & 6),  the food was more than adequate,  the tours arrangements went smoothly. 

Thank you for thoughtfully putting me in the English speaking group for meals,  as my Mandarin is woefully inadequate. 

Thanks also for your prompt replies to my queries. 

Best Wishes,

SiouEng

Dear Leo,

We have arrived back home in Germany.

The river cruise was a really good experience.

As I told you earlier on we were really happy with our guide Jay in Chongqing as well as with Nancy in Yichang.

One has to say that your entire organisation worked very well in our case.

Speaking about the staff on board the boat, they were just great. Friendly and always helpful.

Because of the booking situation on board we were offered an upgrade to the explorer suite, and we took it. Awesome. The food was really nice, no problems at all for us westerners, whatsoever.

Overall this was a great experience which we recommend without any restrictions.

Thanks again.

Best Regards

Clemens

Dear Leo Li,

I just got back from my trip to China. It was a very nice trip. The Yangtze trip was a highlight!! Too bad we could not go thru the locks with.

Jürg

Hi Leo,

We are back in Western Australia, and have settled in to our normal routine.

Thank you for your wonderful planning of our recent China Tour, all went well thanks to your planning skills. The trip up the Yangtze River was fantastic, with so much to see. Shanghai and Chengdu with so many people was exciting. The Panda Breeding Research base at Chengdu was the Highlight of our tour. The Hotels you selected were Top Quality, and we lacked nothing. We will recommend Chengdu Bamboo International Tours Co. Ltd to All our Friends and anyone planning to tour China. The THREE GORGES DAM SHIP LIFT, would you be able to locate/obtain a DVD showing this, as I have several friends interested in this.

Please keep in touch!

Regards,

Dear Rita,

It was really famtastic!!!!

Thank you so much

Best regards

Katrin

Hi Leo,

The ship and cabin was very good and clean. The Service on Board was perfect.

Regards

Rudi

Hello Leo,

We are glad to tell you that our trip was a success. For the tour we owe it to you and your team's hard work and great services.

When I first called you up to make inquiry for the tour, we were not sure it would work out well. It was your promptness in responses and attentiveness towards details and patience, willingness to tailor the tour as much as possible to our needs that built our confidence.  Your coordination with the local agencies were excellent. The local guides and drivers did a great job and made our tour more enjoyable.

Out trip to Xian was brief but we were certainly impressed by the Warrior Site and the dishes at lunch in the International Hot Springs Hotel.  ChongQin was a beauty and the guide was very thoughtful and remained calm when the driver did not want to go by the scheduled route and argued with her.  By the guide suggestion, for the first time we had a meal of Chinese fast food. The food was like home made and comforting and the price was very reasonable.  The cruise was enjoyable and the crew was amazing. It seems all the staff on board were great multitaskers, each one was doing several jobs, for example a cook was also a performer, etc. Oscar was the interpreter on the boat and he was our group guide and he seemed working day and night and never left any details out, he even made sure that we were to be picked up at next stop off the boat. The scenery along Li River was so beautiful. The guide told us stories about the mountains and places, which made it more interesting. The hotel we stayed at Yangshuo seemed to have more room to improve their services, from the front desk to the restaurants. We are so glad we scheduled the terraced rice fields in our tour, it is certainly worth the trip up there, it is one of the highlights of our tour.

By the way, your website is excellent, especially the self-introduction of staff part. It is good to know a little about the person before calling him or her up for services.

We certainly appreciate your help and great services and will recommend you and your team to anyone who is interested in tours in China.

Thank you again and wish you the best.

Bella

Hi Leo,

Thanks for your email.

We are very satisfied with your attentive service and we are glad to give to you our feedback.

Despite bad weather and some rains, the cruise has been fully satisfactory.

Thanks.

Best Regards

Jordi

Hi Leo,

Thank you for your message.  We just returned back home yesterday from Shanghai, after 20 hours of travelling.

The Cruise was really enjoyable, amazing scenery and excellent quality of program, staff and food! The room was really good as well.

The only thing that was bit hard was finding the ship in Chongqing :-) But we managed to find it, haha. And maybe the final day for the optional tour it was not really clear what to expect from this tour (maybe include some pictures?), so we ended up taking the standard tour.

Also really enjoyed the Fengdu Ghost Town optional tour. And maybe a bit longer sailing in the Wu Gorge would be great as well as this was really amazing scenery.

Thank you for booking the tour, will definitely recommend your company to others in the future!

Best Regards,

Luuk

Dear Leo,

It was a great trip and I will highly recommend it. Can you give my email to Cruise Guide Clyde (Victoria Grace)? I wanted to send me some information about the Yangtze, but I forgot to give my address to him.

Best regards

Nadja

Good morning, Leo!

Thank you for asking about the tour.

Regarding the trip I can only say, that it was really great! We were only 9 English speaking people and we felt really taken care of. Especially Kathy was always very attentive and helpful.

So I recommended your company already to my friend Julia - I think she’s already contacted you...

Herzliche Grüße/ Kind regards

Martina 

Hi Leo,

We are now back in Australia after an absolutely wonderful trip to China.

We can not thank you enough for you assistance, guidance, patience, knowledge and kindness in helping us to arrange our fabulous holiday.

We know we would not have had such a smooth and easy holiday had it not been for your hard work.

The fabulous itinerary went like clock work and there was someone to greet us at every port, which was very reassuring.

ALL the guides we had where absolutely fantastic with great English and a in-depth knowledge of the local area.

We learnt so much from them and as they where all so friendly, helpful and accommodating we had a great time with them as well.

The drivers where also great - very safe and helpful.

The cruise was terrific, the rooms spacious and comfortable, the food was great and we had an absolute ball with the friendly, helpful staff.

The accommodation was mostly fabulous and the food delicious.

As a result of all of the above we really did have a wonderful, wonderful time in China and we will all absolutely be recommending

Chengdu Bamboo International Tours Co., Ltd. – and of course you -  to all our friends and any one who wants the BEST trip to China.

So from the bottom of our hearts thank you, thank you and thank you again for making it all possible for us.

Warm regards

Sarah and Barry

Cheryl and Murray 

Hi Leo,

Hope you’re well.

In summary, the river cruise was very good. The rooms were very nice, food was nice and the staff very friendly and welcoming.

There are a few minor development points that we have noted:

- the activities on board should be included (and the gym equipment should be better maintained);

- a meal upon embankment would have been very nice; and

- we were provided western food on the first night this should have been a choice prior to embankment, as we preferred a more traditional Chinese meal, which we requested for the second night.

Again, I would like to re-iterate that the tour was very good.

Thanks,

Steve

Dear Mr. Leo Li,

Just got back from our month long China vacation, everything went well, the Yangtze tour was great, you,  Mr. Leo Li, had been very responsive and instrumental in helping with our enquiries into booking the cruise or even helping with getting train tickets. Payment methods were convenient as well, really appreciate it.

The cruise itself was great: foods,  entertainments, and services were excellent. One complain I have would probably to include dinner or refreshments the first night of the journey,  since it was difficult to find a place to eat in a new city and with our luggage. The other complain would be the disembarkation moment, all 200 passengers trying to check out and get off the boat at the same time was very chaotic. I think it could be arranged better.

Finally, my husband and I truly happy that we’ve used your company for this part of our vacation. Thanks again for all you do.

Best Regards,

Ms. Ing Oei

Thanks Leo

All's well that ends well. We had a great time and were impressed with the rugged countryside and scenery. The China we saw was much better than is normally depicted here.

We had a big day getting there but were not the only ones. Our check in time was midnight so were pleased we did no have the morning extra tour option to go to.

Throughout the tour the tour guides were great and tried their best but by the time they did their speech in Mandarin the subject was usually passed by the time they got to English so we missed the point often.

I managed to make it to the top of The White Emperors Temple much to the surprise of most. Even had my own personal English speaking guide.

Generally everything went really well and the people were great.

The only thing I could suggest is that you supply a little more information on the optional excursions and the post cruise activities. We would have loved to have seen the Pandas but it was a miserable day when we departed so chose not to but if we had have known we may have pre booked this option.

I also feel that you need to adopt a code for the amount of physical energy required on excursions so that people our age can make a informed judgment. May I suggest that a 1 walking code indicate flat walking up to 1/2 Kilometer and/or some stairs, 2 walking code flat walking up to 1 kilometer and/or up to 50 stairs and 3 code suitable for those of reasonable fitness.

All in all we are very happy with everything and thank you and your team for your assistance.

All the best

Cec & Kati

1. Flights to Chongqing was on time, the tour guide picked us up and took us for embarkation

2. The Yangtze River Cruise was wonderful, the staffs in the cruise were very helpful, the attendants in the dining room remembered my issues with food allergies, every dining time (breakfast/lunch/dinner) they would either save me some food and/or show me dishes that I can avoid due to my onion and cinnamon allergies.We upgraded our cabin to the presidential cabin,my gift to my husband, whose health is failing and wanted him to be very comfortable.

3. the flight to yichang was on time, tour guide spotted us right away. Followed the itinerary as scheduled. She was very attentive to my food allergies and very informative

4. The last tour was the Sanyou cave. We opted not to see it, because we were very tired and exhausted, so opted for massage. She refunded us the cost of the cave tour (60 rmb pp). That was very nice of her.

5. Xian- tour guide was waiting for us in the airport. Went on the scheduled tour. I mentioned to her that we needed a wheelchair for my husband if we'll do a lot of walking. She secured it from the hotel. She pushed the wheelchair all the time. I wanted to relieve her but she insisted. 

There was a slight issue on the hotel rooms. We had to change to non smoking room/floor. I have asthma, when I smelled the floor and room of smoke, I started coughing. I called the front desk to change our room in the morning, since my husband was already asleep. I wore my face masked all night.They did change our room the next day x2 as the first one (though they told me was a non smoking floor, soon as the elevator opened in 7th floor, I started coughing again, and a very strong fume of smoke was detected, so the bellboy was gracious enough to let us wait in the 7th floor ao he went to the front desk to change another floor/room. Finally, the 8th floor was a lot better. So when the guide showed up we were trying to change room and that delayed out start of the tour.  I think this would have been avoided if the front desk asked us if we wanted the non smoking room on check in.

The massage was relaxing.It was a nice alternate to the cave tour. According to the guide, the tour ends up in a tunnel and see the wonderful mountains and river. I mentioned to her that we had enough mountains and rivers while we cruised. in the train station, we waited while she got our train tickets. Soon as she got them, she gave them to us. She told us to go the gate for boarding, (the gate # was in the ticket), then she left. We had to asked/showed our tickets to  the train staffs to let us know was time is boarding, what floor we need to get the train etc,etc. Communication was a slightly an issue, but managed with gestures. The train staffs were very nice, we were in Q to get in the gate, when she came to us and told us to go ahead and enter the gate, we had to take the elevator to level 1 to take the train and told us to take #2 car. So we had time to load our luggage in the train. In the train, we tried to go to the dining car but they were closed and starts again in 20 mins. Again, we had some communication issues, as the staff serving doesn't understand nor speak English. I was asking about the onion in the package to no understanding. Anyways, another person in the dining car came to rescue us and read us the ingredients. When we opened the pack, the individual seasoning were in separate envelops. That helped some, so I didn't add the package with onion/scallion. Overall experience was very good. I thought it was a nonstop bullet train but we stopped at least 6-7 times to drop off/pick up passengers. It was an adventure experience, since that was out first time to ride a bullet train.

Then came to train station in Beijing, we didn't know where to exit-north or south. we followed the crowd to the south terminal. Lots of folks offered to get a taxi but we told them we have some one meeting us and they were insistent. I think because we were tourist and they spot an easy target.We stopped and waited soon as we reached the south exit, they a guy comes and he says "wait", He left to get Richard, the guide, as he was also covering the north exit in case we went that way. So we walked out of the train station to the parking area, and that was a long walk, my husband was huffing and puffing. I wished he told us to wait outside the train station or a corner of the street while the driver fetched the van. Though my husband made it, I told Richard the my husband has lung and brain cancer and is unable to walk long distance as he get very short of breath. He helped us check in. I asked him if he can secure a wheelchair for all those walking tour the following days. Yes, he was able to secure a wheelchair for us from the hotel, just put deposit. He pushed the wheelchair. Yes, my husband made it to the great wall of China with difficulty. He walked the steps till we reached the big rock and up again to the see more of the wall.I thought he was going to pass out on me, but he tolerated all the activities that day.

I have a question: we paid for the gondola ride RT, I thought that was included in the package tour? Also, in the package, it didn't state that the gondola ride was not included and needs to be paid when we get there.I would appreciate an explanation.

Richard helped us a lot in checking in at the airport, and securing a wheelchair for my husband. That was a long walk. We are glad that the Air China staff provided it.

Richard had a good command of English, wonderful guide, very knowledgeable in Chinese history. We learned a lot from his information. The lunch with a family was a very good touch. We enjoyed that a lot, meeting the family and dining on the home cook food, so different from restaurants. The rickshaw ride around the Hutong village was fun too.

On day 7, I noticed now on the itinerary that there was an experience to the Tea Ceremony, We didn't experience that nor we went to one. Also, for lunch, he took us where the locals go so we experienced dining with the local people in that restaurant.

Over all, it was a very good experience for us, hotels were nice and accommodating and tour guides were very knowledgeable in history and seems to be passionate too about their country.

Thanks for setting up a wonderful tour. It was very memorable and one to cherish. My husband checked it off his bucket list!

Again, thank you.

Hi Leo Li 

Our trip to China was successful. Your representatives were waiting for us on all arrivals and pickups.  The guides were knowledgeable and adaptable to our needs.  Both Li & Timo were exceptional.  We had very bad weather in Zhangjaijei but Li put a beautiful smile on her face and her umbrella up.

The Century legend ship was very comfortable.  We upgraded in the dining room very worthwhile.

Your attentiveness to my persistence questions prior to going away was commendable.  Thank you so much.

The friends that travelled with us will be contacting you for their next year’s travel back to China.

Dear Leo,

Everything went smooth. Thank you very much for a perfect organization!

Thank you!

Ryan

Dear Mr. Leo Li,

we had a wonderful tour on Yangtze-River with the Century Sun. All was going well an good organised. The staff onboard was friendly and helpful, the explanations for the tour given by the Manager were also good an helpful.

There is nothing to complain and we can recommend this tour.

Greetings from Germany

Kohlheim

Dear Mr. LI,

we confirm, that we were very happy with the trip, the suite is really very well maintained and perfectly decorated.

All staff were very obliging, helpful and friendly.

Like we exhibit the highest marks to your company and will recommend gladly.

Sincerely,

Siegbert

Leo,

Just returned to Singapore one hour ago. Sent my message in WhatsApp.

I was cut off from the rest of the world because Google, gmail and Facebook are blocked in China.

I have been in many cruises before in Europe, US and South East ASIA but the Century Legend is most outstanding.

I understand that it was built in 2013 and it looks very well maintained and I am impressed with what the Chinese are doing with the cruises.

I have read many reviews of horror stories on Chinese cruises and I held my breath when I decided to join the Yangtze 3 gorges cruises.

Apart from the incident with the porter who demanded 100 CNY for carrying my luggage I was well taken care of by the hotel manager when I complained that it was so hot in my cabin.

3 times a day a room attendant will visit my room to ensure that it is kept at a comfortable temperature with an Air cooler .

I met some passengers in the train from Yichang to ZJJ and the complained how terrible the cruise was with the Yangtze Gold and Victoria cruises. In fact I passed by the Yangtze Gold and Victoria cruises and they all look so old and badly maintained.

My Cabin was very comfortable after they lowered the temperature with air cooler and the meals were civilised. No need to rush for food like the other boats and no need to upgrade to a different dining room.

The other gripe is that it was raining everyday and we could not admire the beauty of the 3 gorges.

I made some good friends in the cruise and we did things together.

The next trip will be going upstream in the 3 gorges and hopefully there will be another new boat and definitely NOT SEPTEMBER!!

None of the passengers I met had been swindled by the porters because their travel agent arranged the porterage. Perhaps you can think of Creative ways to provide porter service for dependent Travellers who booked thru you.

Or you advised the independent traveller about porters upon arrival @ boat because there are many flight of stairs to climb whereas I saw travel Sgt st drive near the dick with the luggage

Grace Ong

Leo,

Staff lovely and really helpful

Rooms clean and nice balcony

Facilities good

Included trips good

Food buffet well presented and good quality

Would recommend to others

Regards

Louise

Dear Leo,

Hello, wish you well. Thanks for your concern. We were back just last night, and glad that we return yesterday, otherwise, we shall need take a train back to HKG instead of a flight as we are having the Typhone today this morning - just pass by 50 KM from HKG. Very strong wind with heavy rain and all flights are cancelled from 6 AM - 5 PM today.

Taking the opportunity, I would like to thank you for your kind arrangement with our Yangtze River Cruise booking. All is fine and we enjoyed very much for the whole cruise. Accommodation on V Sophia was comfortable, same as what we expected and the food is wonderful and we had nice meals that meet with our taste. The Captain is a nice man and we are glad to have the chance of greeting to him. All other crews on board perform their professional service that make us so comfortable and relax. It is a memorable river cruise.

Once again, thank you so much for everything you had done to organise our cruise.

All the best wishes.

Frankie

Dear Leo,

Please excuse my delay reply your email.

I would like to thank you for your help with the organisation. I was very satisfied with the cruise and can give my most positive feedback to the whole team of Century Sky, who was very friendly, attentive and helpful. I was impressed by the entertainment program organized during the cruise. The meals were also very good, diverse and delicious and the restaurant team was very attentive and friendly. I would like to specially thank the room service, as the room was always very clean and in excellent order.

All in all I was very happy with the cruise and I will definitely further recommend the Century Sky.

Should you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me.

Best regards,

Ekaterina

Hi Leo,

We r at the boat and very happy.The services, program,food,Entertain etc. The most important we met u.

Thank you mr. Li

Lana and boban

Leo,

Wonderful! Only thing that would've improved it would be free wifi. In an age where we are very used to free wifi, I don't want to have to pay!Anyway, the crew were absolutely great and the room was very comfortable. :smiley:

Jillian

Leo,

I would surely recommend the agency!!!! Driver and guide were amazing! Friendly,smiley, flexible, and knowledgable.

And my consultant made his best to organise the tour exactly as we wented.

Thanks for everything

maria